ATLANTA ­- As the ongoing recession leaves a growing number of people with uncertain budgets and difficult choices, Gas South is providing consumers with a payment option to help ensure the availability of affordable residential natural gas service.

Cindy Landolt, executive director of Coastal Workforce Investment and Adult Funding, said often people feel are overwhelmed with frustration after losing a job, and don't feel they have necessary skills to find another, possibly better one.

ATLANTA - As the ongoing recession leaves a growing number of people with uncertain budgets and difficult choices, Gas South is providing consumers with a payment option to help ensure the availability of affordable residential natural gas service. The Atlanta-based natural gas provider's pay-as-you-go program was developed for credit-challenged customers who may have recently relocated or are dealing with financial challenges that prevent them from paying the deposits required by other natural gas providers.

ATLANTA - Unemployed Georgians who participate in a state work training program will be eligible for money to help give their job search a boost.

Gov. Sonny Perdue announced on Wednesday that the new "Be Work Ready" initiative would give $50 or $100 gift cards to those who earn a state work ready certificate or who improve their job skills through free, online training. The money is designed to help offset job search expenses.

WASHINGTON - The tally of newly laid-off people requesting jobless benefits fell last week, the government said Thursday, a sign that companies are cutting fewer workers.

But the number of people continuing to receive unemployment benefits rose to 6.78 million - the largest total on records dating back to 1967 and the 17th straight record week. The figures for continuing claims lag behind initial claims by one week.

BET Sunday Best gives singers a chance to show off their vocal abilities. A nationwide search is conducted in cities across the country and the top contestants perform weekly in front of a live audience in Atlanta, striving to win the title of "Sunday Best."

After previous hesitations, the Liberty County Development Authority unanimously decided to contract with Strategic Business Solutions Unlimited for work on a minority and women business enterprise initiative.

WASHINGTON - Unable to stop the tide of foreclosures and job losses, lawmakers are hoping to give voters at least some breathing room in the economic downturn by banning arbitrary credit card rate hikes and excessive fees.

Legislation that would impose new restrictions on the industry was expected to pass the Senate on Tuesday. With the House having endorsed a similar measure already, Democratic leaders said they hoped to send a final version to the president to sign by week's end.